ACE Quick Guide to Coherence
An element of a good paragraph is coherence. This means the parts of your paragraph link
to each other in a logical way so the reader can easily follow the progression of your ideas.
Developing a coherent argument and position in academic writing is often done in the
planning and editing stages.
In your assignments, try these four strategies to achieve coherence:
1. Use consistent pronouns for clarity
Pronouns can be used as cohesive devices, to lessen misunderstandings and strengthen links
with what has already been said. Notice the changes the writer makes for consistency in the
following example:
Incorrect: European citizens enjoy many civil rights and freedoms; we can travel and
speak relatively freely. They can also criticise our government without negative
repercussions.
Correct: European citizens enjoy many civil rights and freedoms; they can travel and
speak relatively freely. They can also criticise their government without negative
repercussions.
(Adapted from Queen’s University, 2023)
2. Use reference words to refer back and forward in your paragraph
To avoid repeating words and phrases many times, we use cohesive devices to make
references to other parts of a text, such as:
The 2019 General Election shifted the political landscape in the UK with the Labour Party falling
to its weakest electoral position in almost a century (Eardley, 2019) and the Conservative Party
gaining their largest majority since 1987 (Mattinson, 2020). This was an historic defeat
because…
• Its – refers back to Labour Party
• Their – refers to the Conservative Party
• This – refers to the Conservative Party's largest majority since 1987
(Adapted from Hooper, 2023)
3. Use transition signals to guide your reader from one idea to the next
Transition words and phrases (also called linking or connecting words) are used to link
together different ideas in your text. They help the reader follow your arguments by
expressing the relationships between different sentences or parts of a sentence.
Example: Several researchers have previously explored this topic. For instance, Smith
(2014) examined the effects of…
(The University of Melbourne, no date)
4. Arrange your ideas in logical order
Organising sentences in your paragraph according to a logical order helps the reader follow
the development of your ideas. You can order your ideas by adopting the following structure:
topic sentence, supporting evidence, and concluding sentence. For example:
Topic sentence Authority/reference (1)
Assignment essay tasks are set to assist students to develop mastery of their study subject.
Assignment tasks enhance understandings about subject matter. Yang and Baker (2005) argue
recording your research is important when mastering learning materials. Research (Jinx, 2004;
Zapper, 2006) demonstrates individuals learn writing conventions of a subject area while they
are researching, reading, and writing in their discipline. This activity helps them to “crack the
code” of the discipline (Bloggs, 2003, p. 44). Thus, learners are better able to understand
subject matter and how to write in that disciplinary area by researching and writing assignment
essays.
Concluding sentence Authority/reference (3) Authority reference (2)
(Adapted from Silpakorn University 2022)
Other typical orders include:
Chronological order Comparison/contrast
Order of importance Cause and effect
Each kind of order uses particular words and phrases (transition words) to show the
relationships between ideas. Below are several types of writing and common transitions used
with them:
Additional Cause & Concluding
Chronology Comparison Contrast Examples
Information Effect Ideas
Before Likewise However And For Therefore In conclusion
After Compared to On the Also example Though In summary
other
Next Similarly In addition In general As/As a Finally
hand
result
Since As ….. as In fact Generally Therefore
But/yet
Since
First, second And Furthermore For To conclude
In spite
instance Because
While of/ In Moreover To
contrast In summarise
When Another….
Although particular
Is/was
Instead Specifically
Reference List
Hooper, J. (2023) ‘Why did the Red Wall Fall? Accounting for Labour's 'left behind' in the
fallen Red Wall’, New Sociological Perspectives, 3(1), pp. 24-49.
Oshima, A. & Hogue, A. (2006) Writing Academic English. 4th edn. New York: Pearson
Education.
Queen’s University (2023) Pronouns. Available at:
[Link] (Accessed: 12 December 2024).
Silpakorn University (2022) Academic Writing. Available at:
[Link]
(Accessed: 12 December 2024).
The University of Melbourne (no date) What is Cohesion. Available at:
[Link]
writing-style/connecting-ideas-in-writing (Accessed: 12 December 2024).
Zemach, D & Rumisek, L. (2005) Academic Writing: From Paragraph to Essay. London:
Macmillan.
Additional Resources
The ACE Academic Writing Essentials provides advice on some of the key principles of
academic writing.
Reference List